Jack attempted to move, only to stop with the sudden shooting pain that raced through his body. He still wasn't entirely sure what had happened, all he knew was, that really he should be dead. And apparently he wasn't.

As if knowing Jack was awake and the questions that he had, Will walked through the cabin door, an anxious look upon his face. Noticing Jack was awake, relief could clearly be seen on his features. Jack was frowning, still coming to terms with the fact that he hadn't met his maker after all.

"Jack! You're awake! Thank goodness! We thought we'd lost you for a while there." Jack said nothing as he watched his friend move across the room. It was obvious he had questions which Will was only too happy to answer- even without hearing them.

"It killed us to have to watch that man almost destroy you from the sidelines Jack, but we knew we couldn't do anything until either one of you was dead. We thought you were a goner when he stabbed you, we really did." Will paused for a moment.

"But then, then you got the energy from no where and killed him! Right off. Dead straight away, really you didn't have to stab him three times, but at least that finished him off good and proper!" Once again the man paused, looking down to see if Jack wanted to speak up yet. Seeing that he didn't, Will carried on.

"We came into the cave the second we saw that Robinson guy dead. We thought you too were dead to begin with, but luckily you still had a heart beat and were breathing- although your breathing was somewhat shallow…" For the first time Jack interrupted.

"What's happened to Thomas?" Will's eyes met Jacks, the emotions masked so Jack couldn't tell whether he was about to be told something good, or something so bad it would no doubt shatter the pirates world forever.

"Gibbs went over to him straight away, while I went to you. We thought he was dead Jack, no one could see him moving." Will paused and smiled. "But that little lads got more of you in him then anyone realized. Fighter he is! He was barley breathing from the sudden shock of being dropped like that, that's the reason no one could see his chest move. He was badly bruised and cut and everything, but lucky none of his bones have been broken. All the visible marks on him should disappear with time, maybe one or two of the cuts will scar but nothing too terrible." Will paused for a moment, giving Jack the chance to speak again.

"Is 'e ok? 'Ow long's it been since we left? 'Ow long was I out fer?" Will dropped his eyes for a moment.

"He's alive Jack, but I wouldn't necessarily say he's ok. He barley lets anyone near him, we managed to clean him up and dress him while he was unconscious but other then that no one can get close to him without him cowering or trying to get away. He's barley made a sound… it's been almost a week Jack. You were very ill for a while, had such a high fever we all thought you wouldn't pull through after all." Finally Will stopped speaking. The two men stayed silent for a moment or so.

"Where is he?"

"In his cabin." Jack looked across to the small cabin joined onto his. He would never have guessed his child was in there if he didn't know. Usually he would be making sound of some sort, even if it was the gentle squeak of his bed as he moved while he slept. But there was nothing but silence. Jack attempted to move again, wincing in pain as he did so. After a few minuets of trying to move as well as attempting to ignore the pain Jack gave up and slumped back against the pillows.

"Bring 'im to me." Will looked at Jack as if he had grown two heads.

"Did you not hear what I said Jack? He won't go near anyone." Jack sighed.

"It won't be 'ard. Go in there, pick 'im up, and bring 'im back in here. Then place 'im on the bed and leave 'im with me. After what 'es no doubt been through, he wont actually put up much of a fight, t' save 'imself from gettin' hurt." Will frowned.

"I'm not going to hurt him though…?" Jack sighed again, rolling his eyes at the dimness of his friend.

"No, I know that and you know that, but right now 'e doesn't. 'E think's that everyone that goes near 'im is goin' t' hurt him. Look Will, just do as I asked please." Will nodded and stood up, heading to the adjoining door. He lightly tapped on the door to alert Thomas of his presence.

Will walked into the small cabin, his eyes passing over the room twice before finally spotting the tiny boy huddled in the corner, his arms hugging his knees in an attempt to protect himself. Will sighed before moving to kneel in front of him. He was obviously shaking, still terrified of the man that stood before him.

"Hello Thomas." Will's greeting was met by silence. "Will you come with me Thomas? Your daddy wants to see you." This at least managed to make the little boy peek his eyes up above his knees, although it didn't make him move. Will outstretched his hand, hoping that the child would take it. However he just stared at it before ducking his head back down. Sighing again Will bent down and picked the boy up with ease. He stiffend in Will's arms, frightened of what was about to happen to him.

Will took him through to his father's room as requested. He placed the child on the bed near to Jack, but not quite next to him, unsure of he would react. Without a word he exited the room leaving father and son alone.

Jack looked over his son from the distance he was at. The cuts were still quite obvious, most having scabbed over a great deal although a few were still quite fresh where Thomas had obviously picked at them. Most of the bruises had turned yellowy-purple and were beginning to fade although there were a few that were still rather obvious.

Thomas had curled up again on his father's bed, refusing to look up at him for fear of what would happen. Jack was at a complete loss of what to do. He wasn't good in situations like that, and wished Anamaria was there. As soon as Anamaria entered his mind, he realized he hadn't enquired about the crystal that had been placed in with his son. Shaking his head to clear the thought, Jack concentrated back on his son.

"Thomas, why don't you come a bit closer t' me hey?" Thomas lifted his head from his knees, and looked at Jack with fear and hesitation in his eyes. Jack smiled softly and beckoned him over with his head. Slowly Thomas edged closer to Jack, slightly shaking as he did so. Although he recognised this man as his father, he was still untrusting to everyone.

"That's it, good boy. A little bit closer mate. That's it. Can I have a little look at you?" it was more of a command then a request but Thomas complied anyway. His bottom lip was trembling, he was still quite scared.

Jack reached out and gently tugged the child that bit closer so he didn't have to move too much. Slowly he pushed the sleeve of the top the child wore up, revealing yet more cuts and bruises. Jack made the mistake of sighing and Thomas quickly pulled his arm out of his grasp, thinking that he had done something wrong.

"No, no, no, it's ok. Come on. Shall we take this top off hum? Let me see that little tummy of yours hey mate?" Jack gently tickled Thomas's stomach and the briefest smile graced his face before disappearing again. Quickly Jack pulled the top over Thomas's head, revealing a lightly bruised abdomen and chest. There weren't many cuts that Jack could see, although there were quite a few scratches. Jack was unsure of how he might have come across them but refused to ask the little boy. "Turn around for me for a moment?" Looking him in the eyes to show it was ok to do what he was asked; Thomas changed positions for a moment. Jacks fingers lightly ran over what looked like whip wounds causing Thomas to flinch. Jack bought his hand back fast as though he had just touched something burning hot. Swallowing Jack told Thomas to turn around again. Silently he put the top back on his son.

"There we go, wasn't too bad was it?" Jack started stroking his son's dark hair affectionately, and for the first time Thomas didn't flinch at the action. "Thomas." The small child bought his eyes up to meet those of his father. "I promise those men will never hurt you again ok. I won't let anyone hurt you again." The boy didn't make any movement, his eyes just continued to stare into Jacks. "Now, 'ow about you come and 'ave a cuddle with your ol' dad hey?" at first Jack thought he had pushed his luck and his son too far as Thomas sat motionless. But then he began to move slowly, timidly at first, toward his father. He shifted himself next to Jack, cuddling up to him. He laid his head on his dad's chest, his small hands grasping onto his shirt. Jack placed his arm around his son, bringing him closer to him, feeling Thomas stiffen and then finally relax into him. One arm held Thomas close to him, while the other stroked his hair softly. Finally he started to hum a soft tune to him, one that he had done when he was a tiny baby to get him back to sleep again. Only when he was sure Thomas had fallen to sleep, did Jack finally let exhaustion in and sleep take over his senses.

Elizabeth and Valerie sat watching Anamaria. Valerie sat cradling her newborn son, while Elizabeth was biting her nails. Anamaria had grown so much worse over the last few days. All the friends could do was watch while sweat glistened over Ana's forehead and her breathing was raspy. Both women had the same thought going through their minds at that moment.

How much longer is Anamaria going to keep fighting, before she gives up and lets death in?

A/N thanks for the reviews! I think this story is drawing to a close though, unfortunately. I think there's only about another two maybe three chapters I can squeeze out of it! Please review :-) I love to hear what people think. Thanks! Captainme